Suddenly, it all became clear to me.
I lifted my head and looked at David, my voice edged with scorn.
“So when people get old and can’t earn money anymore, they’re nothing but a burden? They can be slandered, and their lives can be bought off with fifty thousand dollars?”
“David, is that what you think about your mom too?”
“Shut up.”
Like a firecracker set off, David shot to his feet and splashed his drink into my face.
“Rachel, how can you be so ungrateful?”
“I’m trying to think of you, and you dare insult my mom? What kind of daughter-in-law does that?”
“You won’t sign the settlement? Fine. Let me tell you this—if we go to court, you won’t get a dime.”
He snatched the agreement from the table and stormed out of the restaurant.
I watched his back until he disappeared through the door.
His answer was obvious.
I wanted to laugh, but all I felt was pathetic.
My parents hadn’t worked in years.
But that was because they’d each put in over twenty years at the same company before being forced into early retirement during a round of corporate downsizing.
Even after leaving, their pensions never stopped.
I’d urged them to travel, to enjoy their lives, but they refused.
They saved every penny, pouring it all into helping me and David’s household.
David had no father around, so whenever we needed help, it was my parents who watched Ethan.
Even David’s current law firm only existed because my parents sold their bigger suburban house, bought a smaller one, and gave him the cash to start his practice.
And yet he remembered none of it.
To him, my mother’s life wasn’t even worth fifty thousand dollars.
After twelve years of marriage, I finally realized with painful clarity—David didn’t love me.
Because love means cherishing the ones your partner loves too. Hatred works the same way.
When I stepped out of the restaurant, David’s car was still parked outside.
A girl in a red dress sat in the passenger seat, pouting, asking him to apply her lipstick.
He carefully traced her lips, and she leaned in with a giggle to kiss him.
Through the windshield, I watched them laugh together.
When David spotted me, his smile faded instantly, though he showed no guilt.
The girl glanced at me curiously as he started the engine and sped off.
A puddle left by the morning rain splashed filthy water all over me as his tires cut through it.
Soaked and humiliated, I dragged myself home.
Ethan ran up to me, his arms halfway outstretched.
“Mom, what happened? Did you fall?”
It felt like my heart was being crushed.
I knelt and pulled my little boy into my arms.
Helen hurried out of the bathroom with a damp towel, handing it to me.
“Weren’t you having dinner with David? How did you end up like this?”
I forced a smile.
“Tripped on the way back.”
After I’d cleaned myself up, she pulled me aside and whispered, “What’s David planning about Margaret’s case?”
Thinking of what he’d said before leaving, I answered with difficulty, “He… he said we’ll take it to court.”
“Court is good. At least Margaret will get justice.”
Helen nodded firmly, then pulled out a bank card and shoved it into my hand.
“This is the money Robert and I have saved up. These cases cost a lot. Take it. If you need more, just tell us.”
